I would say we’re on a roll. January began what we call the Big 10 – the largest show crowds of the season and we have had four solid weekends in a row. This last weekend, January 23-25, it was the Kansas City show that had attendees packing the aisles. We were back in Overland Park which delighted the vendors and our loyal woodworkers. We drew attendees from a wide area including three special ones from as far away as Des Moines. WOOD Magazine’s Editorial Content Chief Dave Campbell, Deputy Editor Craig Ruegsegger and our Group Business Director Curt Blades made the 3 1/2 hour trip to soak in the sights inside the hall and chat with a number of woodworkers. They certainly made my day!
I arrived on Thursday early enough to get in a bit of sightseeing before show setup and the nonstop talking that I would be doing over the course of the next three days. The perfect place turned out to be the National World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial. The 217 foot tower is clearly visible from the freeway and the view from the top toward downtown KC is really impressive. The museum is well organized and made it easy to chronicle the War To End All Wars which ran from 1914-1919 and cost over nine million lives. A great museum, very sobering lessons.
In addition to the vendors and the educational areas at each of our weekend shows, woodworkers can meet members of local clubs and talk with them about the benefits of membership as well as see the type of work that those members are capable of. The Kansas City Woodworkers Guild showcased a number of clever projects as well as more traditional ones built by people eager to share their knowledge.
This year attendees can also stop in at the Veritas Booth and see what it takes to order a customized bench plane. There are also quite a few work benches there where you can test drive one of these beautiful hand tools. No previous experience is necessary as the booth is staffed with trained instructors. Oh, and Band-Aids!
There weren’t many submissions for the Project Showcase KC 2015 though the ones on hand were really well done. The People’s Choice award for every category went to the “Puget Sound Scene Table” by William Close. The choice and use of wood and his attention to detail were recognized by everyone who saw it.
The Educator’s Choice went to Ronald Lomax for his “Mahogany Chair”. Stately and comfortable.
This weekend’s Runner Up award went to the “Traveling Workbench” by Les Hastings. What a great project!
Winners took home a Bosch tool and William also got a Lee Valley gift card.
This next weekend, January 30-February 1, we will be in Columbus at the Ohio Expo Center in the Voinovich Trade Center. Right now it seems like there won’t be any significant weather woes so I expect that this will again be a very large, well attended show. Please put aside a day or two or even three and experience what we’re so proud of. You’ll really enjoy yourself. And don’t worry, we have Band-Aids.
‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.
Jim Heavey
WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador
